With Trent Brown coming off injured reserve two weeks ago against the Browns, the Patriots have seemingly had six offensive linemen for five spots.
In those two games, Michael Onwenu has been the odd-man out with Ted Karras staying at left guard and Brown playing right tackle. Onwenu subbed for Brown a few plays against Cleveland, but against the Falcons played just five snaps as an extra blocker.
"I think you've seen Mike continue to play, obviously, not some of the numbers or reps he played before, but we'll see how this thing plays out," Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said to reporters Tuesday. "But Mike is a high character guy, and he's a damn good football player. And, you know, like I said, it's a good problem to have multiple players in your room that have played and helped you win games."
Bricillo called it a good problem to have.
"Like so many other guys, Mike's a high character guy that does a lot of things that we really like," he said. "And like anything else, it's a good problem to have some really good players that have played and helped you win football games. We'll continue to rely on those guys, because he's one of them."
For what it's worth, Pro Football Focus has Onwenu as the Patriots' highest graded offensive player at 88.7. Shaq Mason is the next highest offensive lineman at 84.3.
Left tackle Isaiah Wynn received a good amount of criticism early in the year, but has been much better of late.
"I think Isaiah has done exactly what we asked all of our guys to do," Briscillo said. "And he really has, which is he just shows up every day to work. He takes meticulous notes. He's a good player, he's a good guy to be around. He's a good teammate. We've been very pleased with what he's been doing, and will continue to be a fun guy to have in the room. He's a good football player, and you just work hard, like the rest of the room."
Given the success the last two games, it's likely the Patriots stick with the same offensive line this week against the Titans with Onwenu being the odd-man out.
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